Animated moving target



Dec. 29, 1964 D. H. BRAUN 3,163,420

ANIMATED MOVING TARGET Filed July 16. 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. DAVID H. BRAUN FIG.2

Dec. 29, 1964 D. H. BRAUN ANIMATED MOVING TARGET 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 16, 1962 DAVID H. BRAUN 1964 D. H. BRAUN 3,163,420

ANIMATED MOVING TARGET Filed July 16, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet I5,

INVENTOR DAVID H. BRAUN United States Patent 3,163,420 ANIMATED MGVING TARGET David H. Braun, Miami, Fla, assignor to All-Tech Industries Inc., Hialeah, Fla., a corporation of Florida Filed July 16, 1962, Ser. No. 209,868 2 Claims. (Cl. 273105.2)

This invention relates in general to moving targets for games and more particularly to a mechanism for moving targets in a predetermined endless path including electromechanical means for displacing and restoring said targets while moving in said path.

Reference is had to applicants United States Patent Des. 195,308.

The mechanism hereinafter described is used in a game wherein a target is displaced by well known electric circuit means responsive to the operation of a simulated firearm.

Targets of this general character prior to this invention were usually independently latched to a conveyor which required complex mechanism for independently displacing and resetting each target resulting in limited reliability and relatively high manufacturing cost.

The present invention overcomes the above objections and disadvantages by the provision of a plurality of displacable targets carried on an endless conveyor through a predetermined course with each target subject to displacement by a common cam means and sequentially subject to resetting by the reverse action of the same cam means, which construction is a principal feature of the invention.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a mechanism including a plurality of displacable target means carried in a linear path in spaced relation on an endless conveyor including a cam means for resetting each of the displaced targets at a plurality of spaced linear positions along said path.

These and other objects and advantages in one embodiment of the invention are described and shown in the appended specifications and drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of the target mechanism.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken through section line 33, FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation of elements shown in FIG. 1 in changed position.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional end view taken through section line 5-5, FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a perspective rear view of the target elements shown in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the entire mechanism is mounted on an L shaped base or frame 1 which is intended to be secured in a casing such as shown in the aforesaid Patent Des. 195,308.

An endless roller chain carrier 2 is engaged with idler sprockets 3 and 4 which are secured for rotation on shafts 5 and 6 journaled in frame 1. A drive sprocket 7 is also engaged with chain 2 and is secured to the output shaft 8 of a gear motor 9 fixed in frame 1 as shown. A channel member 10 shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, is secured to the vertical portion of the frame 1 for guiding the chain carrier through a linear aiming course when driven.

Referring to FIG. 6, each target assembly shown in FIG. 1 comprises a target plate 11 which is secured to a bracket 12 which bracket is retained to stud 13 by a screw 14 shown in FIG. 1. The stud 13 is pivotally engaged for rotation through an offset guide 16 and an offset follower roller 17 retained for rotation on stud 18 secured in bracket 12, the actions of which will be hereinafter described. A target configuration, such as the form of an Indian, as shown, is intended to be imprinted on the front side of the disc 11.

3,163,420 Patented Dec. 29, 1964 Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, control member 19 is pivotally hinged to the vertical portion of frame 1 by a shaft 20 therethrongh and supported by brackets 21-21 secured to frame 1, as shown, and referring to FIG. 3, the member 19, is shown in normal rest position in full lines with the top edge or track in parallel spaced relation to the chain carrier 2 in channel 10.

A link 23 is pivotally connected at one end to bracket 24 fixed to member 19 and the opposite end thereof pivoted to core 24 of an electro-magnet 25. The control member is adapted to be tilted from the position shown in full lines to the position shown in dotted lines when the electro-magnet 25 is energized.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, three multi-contact electric blade switches 26 are secured in spaced relation along the upper edge of the vertical portion of the frame 1 on brackets 27 by screw means as shown. Each switch is adapted to be operated by an elongated member 28 pivoted in independent spaced brackets 27 with each member normally resting on the upper edge of the vertical portion of the frame 1 when in idle position and with the elongated portion thereof in the path of movement of stud 13. When the carrier chain 2 is operated, the stud 13 will sequentially operate each switch 26 during corresponding distances of travel of each target forming three aiming zones along the target course.

Referring to FIG. 5, a lever 29 secured to member 19 has a stud 39 secured in the outer end thereof which stud retains an insulating bushing 31 and also one end of a spring 32. The opposite end of spring 32 is secured to a bracket 33 fixed to frame 1, which bracket also retains a normally closed switch 34 as shown.

It is now apparent that the control member 19 is normally urged into position shown in full lines by spring 32 which also maintains the switch 34 in its normally closed position. It is also apparent that when the electro-magnet 25 is energized the lever 29 will move with member 19 to the position shown in dotted lines and open switch 34.

Referring to FIG. 1, under the assumption that the gear motor 9 is energized, the sprocket 8 will rotate clockwise as indicated and the chain will rotate in the direction as shown by arrows and target assembly pivoted to the lower side of the chain, as shown, will move in pendulous manner from right to left. When the target encircles the left sprocket 3 its roller 17 will engage the cam surface 35 on the member 19 and the target will be rotated about the axis of stud 13 and will assume an upright vertical position against the action of gravity, as shown by the upper target in FIG. 1, and continue to move along the top edge of the member by virtue of the roller 17 rolling along the upper edge of the member 19, and, in so doing, stud 13 will successively engage switch members 28 and successively hold each corresponding switch 26 in operative position for predetermined period of time corresponding to three linear aiming zones.

The elongated switch operating elements 28 in this embodiment are intended to provide three zones along the target course where on target circuits can be established by sequentially energizing each of three firing circuits in the aim-fire circuit means. When the electro-magnet 25 is momentarily energized the member 19 will be displaced laterally and disengage from roller 17 and permit the target to fall by gravity to the position shown in FIG. 4 with the offset portion 16 of the bracket 12 resting and sliding upon the upper edge of the control member.

Either of the offset cam surfaces 36-37 integral with the member 19 will engage the roller 17 and cam same upward depending upon the position of the target when displaced and raise the target to its original vertical position, which position will be maintained by the return of the tilted member to its normal position under the influence of springs 32. Thus it is apparent that either target may be tripped and restored in each one or in all three zones along the aiming course for each rotation cycle of the carrier 2.

It is understood that certain modification in the above construction utilizing the features described are intended to come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A target device of the character described comprising an electric power driven conveyor adapted for travel in a fixed linear course when operated,

' said course including an aiming zone of predetermined length,

a target means pivotally secured to said conveyor for travel therewith along said course and for rotation on said conveyor from 'an upright to a downward tripped position,

an electric operated control member adapted for movement from a normal position holding said target means thereon in upright position in said zone to a displaced position permitting said target means to gravitate to said tripped position when energized,

an electric switch means positioned to be engaged and held in operated position by said target means while the latter is moved through said zone,

a source of electric energy,

a manually operated electric circuit means connected to said source of energy and said control member and said switch means whereby the operation of said switch means by said target means will complete a circuit to said control member and momentarily 5 energize same and trip said target means within said 'zone from said upright to said tripped position when said conveyor and said circuit means are operated. 2. The construction recited in claim 1 including means 'for urging said control means from said displaced to said normal position,

a cam on said control member shaped and positioned to engage and rotate said target means traveling 111mg said course from said tripped to said upright position on said member when de-energized.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,927,876 9/33 Meyer 273-105.2 2,297,993 10/42 Tratsch 273105.2 2,670,207 2/54 Dale 273105.2 X 3,064,976 10/62 Kuhn 273-r-l05.2 X

LOUIS R. PRINCE, Primary Examiner.

JOHN M. HORAN, RICHARD C. PINKHAM,

, Examiners. 

1. A TARGET DEVICE OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED COMPRISING AN ELECTRIC POWER DRIVEN CONVEYOR ADAPTED FOR TRAVEL IN A FIXED LINEAR COURSE WHEN OPERATED, SAID COURSE INCLUDING AN AIMING ZONE OF PREDETERMINED LENGTH, A TARGET MEANS PIVOTALLY SECURED TO SAID CONVEYOR FOR TRAVEL THEREWITH ALONG SAID COURSE AND FOR ROTATION ON SAID CONVEYOR FROM AN UPRIGHT TO A DOWNWARD TRIPPED POSITION, AN ELECTRIC OPERATED CONTROL MEMBER ADAPTED FOR MOVEMENT FROM A NORMAL POSITION HOLDING SAID TARGET MEANS THEREON IN UPRIGHT POSITION IN SAID ZONE TO A DISPLACED POSITION PERMITTING SAID TARGET MEANS TO GRAVITATE TO SAID TRIPPED POSITION WHEN ENERGIZED, AN ELECTRIC SWITCH MEANS POSITIONED TO BE ENGAGED AND HELD IN OPERATED POSITION BY SAID TARGET MEANS WHILE THE LATTER IS MOVED THROUGH SAID ZONE, A SOURCE OF ELECTRIC ENERGY, A MANUALLY OPERATED ELECTRIC CIRCUIT MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID SOURCE OF ENERGY AND SAID CONTROL MEMBER AND SAID SWITCH MEANS WHEREBY THE OPERATION OF SAID SWITCH MEANS BY SAID TARGET MEANS WILL COMPLETE A CIRCUIT TO SAID CONTROL MEMBER AND MOMENTARILY ENERGIZE SAME AND TRIP SAID TARGET MEANS WITHIN SAID ZONE FROM SAID UPRIGHT TO SAID TRIPPED POSITION WHEN SAID CONVEYOR AND SAID CIRCUIT MEANS ARE OPERATED. 